Gachagua Allies Plot Impeachment of MP Dan Wanyama Over Tribal Remarks

Members of Parliament allied to the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have threatened to impeach Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama over claims of division.

Led by Nyeri Town MP Duncan Maina and Nyeri Women Representative Rahab Mukami, the leaders vowed to take action over the comments made two days ago.

Wanyama, while at a church service in Mt. Elgon on Sunday, January 19, with President William Ruto, blasted the Mt Kenya electorate for striving to dominate national politics. These comments have led to a battle of words between Gachagua’s camp and President Ruto’s ally.

In his statements on Sunday, the MP called out former President Uhuru Kenyatta for asking the youth to ‘fight for their rights’. Wanyama launched a scathing critique of Uhuru, stating he should enjoy his retirement silently and allow someone else to serve Kenyans in peace.

“We are not going to accept for one tribe to think they have a birthright to be at the state house. When one of them gets to state house, we allow them the space and peace to finish their terms even if they cannot deliver, but when someone from another tribe gets in, they incite and blackmail even if things are working,” he said.

“Some MPs, especially from the Western region, have formed an agenda of inciting other Kenyans against the Kikuyu community,” Mukami alleged.

MPs allied to Gachagua have now called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to take action against Wanyama, whom they accused of inciting other tribes against the Kikuyu community.

While addressing the media on Wednesday, January 22, MP Maina also said he has written to the National Assembly Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities to summon the MP.

“We are going to make a recommendation based on your utterances that you have grossly violated the Constitution, and on that basis, you should lose your seat,” said the MP.

Under the Constitution, Article 33(2) limits the right to freedom of expression by excluding protection for hate speech.

Specifically, it states that freedom of expression does not extend to “propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech, or advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others, or incitement to cause harm.”

In his petition against the former DP, MP Mwengi Mutuse accused him of similar charges, citing claims of advancing the interests of Mt Kenya as a gross violation of the Constitution.

“I was on the campaign trail with President Ruto, seeking votes. They never voted for him like we did, so let them stay away from our fights with the government,” Mukami advised.